Further Construction Progress on the Deck substructure and Decking Material

Partially Completed Decking

Over the last two days we completed the substructure of the deck for the treehouse.  We laid about half the decking material so far as you can see in the image above.  I figure about three more hours to finish installing the decking. The joists for the platform are 2x6s pressure treated lumber  hung on galvanized joist hangers each about 4 feet in length between the main beams of the superstructure on 18 inch centers.  The decking is western red cedar 1x8 fencing material. 

I am now working on the design for the railing and the stairway.  I have decided to put in one 4x6 post holding up the main branch, just so that there is more stability and there won't be so much movement when the weight shifts on the deck and the wind is blowing.

For the stairway I am going to hang a platform 7 feet below the deck from the rafters of the treehouse and then put in a stairway from the deck of the water tank cover to the platform.  Then, from there, there will be another stairway going up to the tree house deck (i.e., two rises each of about 7 feet). Don't forget that the deck on the water tanks is about 4 ft. above the ground already. So, the deck is 18 feet above the ground where the water tanks are located. The deck is about 23 feet above the ground level at the base of the tree.

 View from the deck